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A box joint jig is one of the simplest joints to create, particularly when you use the finger joint method. Simple box jigs are an attractive way to join two pieces of wood with contrasting grains. They are also easy to build and utilize four basic cuts to join two pieces of wood together. While woodworking tools are required to create the box joint jig, if you know your way around a dado blade, miter gauge and jig saw, you’ll find box joint jigs both easy to build and useful.
Box joints are visually appealing, strong woodworking joints similar in appearance to dovetail joints. The simplicity of the layout and cutting made the joint attractive to makers of wooden boxes, thus the name box joint. Alternating fingers and notches on one piece fit into opposing notches and fingers on the adjoining piece. Unlike a dovetail joint, box joint fingers and notches are square or rectangular. The depth of the fingers and notches equals the thickness of the boards while the width of the boards determine the width of the fingers and notches.
Box joints do not require a large amount of glue to be incredibly strong. Learn how to glue box joints on a finger joint box in this free woodworking video.
Attaching the bottom to a finger joint box can be done with nails, glue, or screws. Learn how to nail the bottom to a finger joint box in this free woodworking video.
Colored stain such as blue stain can be used to stain wood. Learn how to stain a finger joint box with blue stain in this free woodworking video.
Sanding and staining a finger joint box are two important steps in finishing a finger joint box. Learn how to sand and stain a finger joint box in this free woodworking video.
After you clamp two pieces of a finger joint box, you can use a router to flush the box joints. Learn how to flush finger joints in this free woodworking video.
Finger joint boxes do not need to be clamped extremely tight, due to the strength of the box joints. Learn how to clamp box joints in this free woodworking video.
Rounding box joint edges makes the finger joint box look a little more interesting. Learn how to round box joint edges with a router in this free woodworking video.
When all four pieces of a finger joint box are made, the joint are aligned. Learn how to fit together box joint pieces in this free woodworking video.
Box joint corners should be square, and if they are not, a sharp chisel can do the job. Learn how to square box joint corners in this free woodworking video.
Making box joints, or finger joints, can easily be done using a table saw jig. Learn how to make a box joint in this free woodworking video.
The plywood bottom of a finger joint box should fit tightly. Learn how to fit the bottom of a finger joint box in this free woodworking video.
When the finger joints of a box are cut they must be square. Learn how to square box joints in this free woodworking video.
Finger joint boxes made with many box joints are very strong. Find out more about finger joint boxes in this free woodworking video.
Watch how to test a box joint jig to see if it cuts properly in this free woodworking video.
Dado blades should be set at a the appropriate height according to your need. See how to set dado blade depth to make a box joint jig in this free woodworking video.
The second cut is the most important part of making a finger joint jig. See how to make the second for a box joint jig in this free woodworking video.
An old box joint jig can be used to check the measurement See how to make a test cut on a box joint jig to make sure the dado is set at the proper height - free woodworking video.
See how to make a test cut on a box joint jig to make sure the dado is set at the proper height - free woodworking video.
A box joint jig allows you to cut fingers joints for carpentry projects. See how to set up a box joint jig in this free woodworking video.
Carriage bolts hold a box joint jig in place. See how to correctly place carriage bolts when making a finger joint jig in this free woodworking video.
Dado blades on a table saw can be used to cut box joint jigs. See how to set up dado blades to make a box joint jig in this free woodworking video.
The slot for box joint jig bolts should be straight and flat. See how to create a stop for the router on a box joint jig in this free woodworking video.
Measuring for a finger joint jig is the right way to make a box joint jig. Learn how to make the measurements and marks for making a finger joint jig for your table saw in this free woodworking video.
Marking the wood stock for a box joint jig should be done before making cuts with the router. Learn how to mark the stock for router cuts in order to make a finger joint jig in this free woodworking video.
A finger joint jig is a table saw setup that cuts slots in wood that form box joints. Find out more about finger joint jigs in this free woodworking video.
Adding a box joint to a woodworking project is an easy way to enhance the project's strength and appearance. Once you build the box joint jig, making the joints themselves adds mere minutes to your project. The joint draws people's attention because of its signature checkerboard look, so make sure you take the time to fine-tune the jig for a perfect fit.
